20
1 An Overview of Spintronics
These outstanding characteristics show prospect for coming days of spintronics
devices like memory resistors. On comparison, the strain and electric methods are
limited so far to a small range of materials and require a typical crystal structure. As
far as the optical manipulation is concerned, spin dynamics are being widely studied,
on a femtosecond scale. This has been discussed at length in Chap. 7 of this book.
They demonstrate huge prospect in designing of ultrafast information processing and
recording devices.
1.10 Applications
The most prominent applications of spintronics are the magnetic read heads for
the magnetic data storage device and MRAM. Read heads of modern hard disk
drives are based on GMR or TMR effect. GMR effect has also been used to construct
magnetic sensors. GMR sensors have a variety of applications:
1. In the field of precision engineering and robotics, fast and accurate sensing of
position and motion of several mechanical components.
2. Guiding missile motion.
3. In computer video games, sensing of position and motion of several electrical
and mechanical components.
4. Acting as automotive sensors in diversified fields, such as in fuel handling
system, speed controlling, navigation etc.
1.10.1 Presently, Do We Have Any Spintronics-Powered
Products?
In this context, we may first mention that ‘GMR-based spin valves’ are used in hard
disks read heads and magnetic sensors, nowadays. The very next name we may
mention is MRAM, which is advancing steadily. Importantly, EverSpin have already
started selling 4-Mbit MRAM modules. Also, the feasibility for spin valve transistors
and spin-polarized field effect transistors is being investigated.
1.10.2 Future Scope of Work
We intend to extend the applications of spintronics in future through the advent of
spin-based transistor having advantages over MOSFET devices, such as steeper subthreshold slope. The objective is to achieve non-volatile spin-based logic devices,
which might enable scaling beyond 2025. Extensive research has been focussed on
spin-transfer torque-based logic devices at Intel. Such devices are now part of the
International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) and are potential
1 An Overview of Spintronics
These outstanding characteristics show prospect for coming days of spintronics
devices like memory resistors. On comparison, the strain and electric methods are
limited so far to a small range of materials and require a typical crystal structure. As
far as the optical manipulation is concerned, spin dynamics are being widely studied,
on a femtosecond scale. This has been discussed at length in Chap. 7 of this book.
They demonstrate huge prospect in designing of ultrafast information processing and
recording devices.
1.10 Applications
The most prominent applications of spintronics are the magnetic read heads for
the magnetic data storage device and MRAM. Read heads of modern hard disk
drives are based on GMR or TMR effect. GMR effect has also been used to construct
magnetic sensors. GMR sensors have a variety of applications:
1. In the field of precision engineering and robotics, fast and accurate sensing of
position and motion of several mechanical components.
2. Guiding missile motion.
3. In computer video games, sensing of position and motion of several electrical
and mechanical components.
4. Acting as automotive sensors in diversified fields, such as in fuel handling
system, speed controlling, navigation etc.
1.10.1 Presently, Do We Have Any Spintronics-Powered
Products?
In this context, we may first mention that ‘GMR-based spin valves’ are used in hard
disks read heads and magnetic sensors, nowadays. The very next name we may
mention is MRAM, which is advancing steadily. Importantly, EverSpin have already
started selling 4-Mbit MRAM modules. Also, the feasibility for spin valve transistors
and spin-polarized field effect transistors is being investigated.
1.10.2 Future Scope of Work
We intend to extend the applications of spintronics in future through the advent of
spin-based transistor having advantages over MOSFET devices, such as steeper subthreshold slope. The objective is to achieve non-volatile spin-based logic devices,
which might enable scaling beyond 2025. Extensive research has been focussed on
spin-transfer torque-based logic devices at Intel. Such devices are now part of the
International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) and are potential